King Cassivellaunus' page

My name is Cassivellaunus. Over 2,000 years ago I was the chieftain of the local people and, as the most famous of Wheathampstead's residents, I have been asked to introduce you to the amazing history of Wheathampstead.

There are lots of interesting stories to tell including battles against the Romans, highway robbery, Antarctic explorers and elephants visiting Wheathampstead. The first of these stories is shown below and there's lots more information to be found in the Virtual Museum. There is also a map on this website so you can find out what history there is nearest to your home. Click HERE for the map.

King Cassivellaunus

Over 2,000 years ago there was a village just on the outskirts of Wheathampstead (next to Devil's Dyke) where a Celtic tribe called the "Catuvellauni" lived. They were famous for being very fierce and the fiercest of all was their chieftain Cassivellaunus.

In 54 B.C. the Romans, led by Julius Caesar, decided to invade Britain. For many months King Cassivellaunus led a small army against the bigger, better organised and better equipped invaders. In the end a traitor told Julius Caesar where Cassivellaunus was hiding and he was eventually captured. Rather than kill him, Julius Caesar made Cassivellaunus promise to be loyal to Rome and put him in charge of all the known tribes of Britain. After that Julius Caesar left Britain and sailed back to Italy. By being put in charge of all the British tribes it can be said that Cassivellaunus was the first ever King of England and some people say that Wheathampstead was the first capital (but there's no real proof of this).

Julius Caesar wrote a journal of his adventures and named Cassivellaunus in the journal. This made Cassivellaunus the first Briton recorded in history.